Starz Docudrama THE CHAIR is Like PROJECT GREENLIGHT with an Awesome Twist

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It’s a supremely fascinating question: what do you think the most iconic movies would’ve looked like had they been directed by someone else? Creative vision rests solely on the risks of a singular vision, but with the newest venture from one of the creators of Project Greenlight (man, we loved that show so much), that hypothetical can actually be posited. Producer Chris Moore has teamed up with Starz to create a new, similarly docudrama-styled series — the first for the network — titled The Chair, and we’re really, really excited about it. The series follows two directors as they bring their first feature films to life. Only there’s a twist: the screenplay both directors receive is…exactly the same.

The two up-and-coming directors in question — Shane Dawson, YouTube sensation (pictured above with his cast from The Chair), and Anna Martemucci, writer and star of Nerdist Alliance partner PERIODS. Films‘ Breakup at a Wedding — will have the creation, marketing, and theatrical releases of both their adaptations documented in the series, and later see their films air on Starz. Since equality is the name of the game, both directors will be given identical budgets and city locations. And given that this is the modern, social media age, audience voting will determine which of the two directors shall be awarded the $250,000 prize.

The screenplay in question? How Soon is Now, a coming-of-age comedy chronicling that first Thanksgiving weekend home from your freshman year of college. It was written by Dan Schoffer and will be produced by Josh Shader, but each director will have creative control over crew members, the film’s title, casting, and rewrites. Creative visions abound! (You can watch a video of Dawson discussing the experience here, if you fancy spoilers.)

The series already has some pretty major legs (har har har), with actor Zachary Quinto and his producing partners Corey Moosa, Neal Dodson and Sean Akers featured as mentors throughout the process. We’re most excited to see not only the differences in the final products, but also how and why certain creative decisions are made. We’re not rooting for one director over another, but rather to see two wildly different but equally good films come into fruition. (Call us idealists, if you must. It’s accurate.)

What do you think of the premise of The Chair? Let us know in the comments.

I am so excited. I have been watching Shane Dawson for 5 or 6 years on YouTube and he is no doubt the best. I think that with this movie that people will realize the you can do anything if you just wish hard enough (and every Shane fan knows how long he’s been waiting for this.) I send all of my luck to this upcoming movie that will in no doubt be amazing.

I just hope people will give Anna a chance and watch both films with an open mind. Shane is great, but Anna is very talented as well. I feel like people will vote for Shane no matter what the films are like and that defeats the whole purpose of the project. It is kind of a bummer.

No offense to Anna Martemucci, but she doesn’t stand much of a chance. Shane has such a huge group of supporters that look up to him and admire him. But seriously, though, we’re all so proud of him. If anyone deserves this, it is definitely Shane.

I’m very excited for this movie! I’ve been a fan of shane dawson for quite a few years now. I’ve also been a fan of drew. This movie is going to be exceptionally great and will shine a great new light into the youtube industry’s talents.
Instagram: @shanedawsonmovie and @superluvinshanedawson
Twitter: @shanemydawson and @haleyrockwell12

IM SO EXCITED FOR THIS MOVIE! Shane has worked his ass off to get this far and I’m so proud to see him grow and direct and act in his very own movie!!! I think it’s going to be great, honestly. Combined with Shane’s creativity and humor, it’ll be amazing.